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GARDINER MANOR 



THE GARDINER MANOR 

ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE THIRD ANNUAL 
MEETING OF THE NEW YORK BRANCH 

OF 

THE ORDER OF COLONIAL LORDS OF 

MANORS IN AMERICA. I '-^r^M/j^cL'-^u. 

HELD IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK 
APRIL 24, 1915 



BY 

SARAH GARDINER TYLER 

II 



BALTIMORE 
1916 

Monograph 



Ladies and Gentlemen: 

When our President, Mr. Livingston, wrote that he would 
like to have me tell you something about the Manor of Gardi- 
ner's Island, I felt that I had a difficult task; but when he said 
the time limit would be fifteen minutes, I felt that to put the 
two hundred and seventy-nine years of its history into that 
short time would be impossible. However, I will do my best. 

I have referred for dates, etc., to articles written by Mrs. 
Martha J. Lamb, Mr. George Parsons Lathrop, and others. 

The first English settlement in the present limits of the 
State of New York was made by Lion Gardiner, by the pur- 
chase from the Indians, of an island now known as Gardiner's 
Island. It was nine miles long by one to one and a half wide, 
and contained 3500 acres. This purchase was duly confirmed 
by the agent of Lord Sterhng, March 10, 1639. Gardiner's 
Island was not only a manor, but was, also, a lordship, for the 
terms of Governor Dongan's Grant, in 1686, were "To erect 
and constitute the said island one lordship and manor, to all 
intents and purposes. The said island shall henceforth be 
called the 'Lordship and Manor of Gardiner's Island.' " This 
island has been longer in the possession of one family than 
any other individual estate on this continent, having had twelve 
proprietors in direct line, to the present owner. 

Lion Gardiner was the first professional engineer who ever 
stood on the soil of New England. He was born in 1599, 
316 years ago. Many of the family of Gardiner and Lion 
are buried in the cathedral at Norfolk, England. 

The same coats of arms used by the Gardiners of Gardiner's 
Island are on the pavements, and tombs in this cathedral. 
His family has been traced by Sir Christopher Banks to the 
Gardiner who married one of the co-heiresses of the Barony of 
Fitz Walter. 

The arms are identical with those formerly borne by Thomas 
Gardiner prior, of the monastery, of Tynemouth, England, 
in the year 1200. 

Lion Gardiner was Lieutenant in a regiment, of which Lord 
Vere was Commander, and with him, went to Holland. While 
Lion Gardiner was serving under the Dutch flag, he was in 




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constant and familiar intercourse with Hugh Peters the emi- 
nent Divine, Reverend John Davenport, and other Protestants, 
who had found an asylum in Rotterdam. They urged Gardi- 
ner to accept a position offered him by a number of notables, 
in making a settlement at the mouth of the Connecticut River. 
The leaders of the enterprise included Oliver Cromwell, John 
Hamden, Sir Matthew Boynton, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Sir 
Arthur Heslerigge, Lord Say and Sele, Lord Brook, afterward 
the Earl of Warwick, and Colonel George Fenwick. They 
not only made choice of a Governor, but had employed Lion 
Gardiner, as a competent Engineer, to precede them to America 
"for drawing, ordering, and making of a city, towns, and forts 
of defence." "The site of a city, and castles, and palaces, to 
be rendered suitable for the reception of men of quality," 
had already been selected, at the mouth of the Connecticut 
River. Lion Gardiner was to be engineer, architect, and 
builder, and was to have three hundred able bodied men under 
his control. Two hundred as a garrison, fifty to till the ground, 
and fifty to build houses. He was employed to command 
the post four years, supphes to be forwarded from England, 
as the work advanced, an important trust in connection, of 
beginning an empire, in a new world. The inference is that 
Gardiner was known to possess the requisite qualifications. 
His education was exceptional for the period, and his taste 
for mathematics had resulted in the study of civil, and military 
engineering; he had been in the English Army, as an officer, 
under Sir Thomas Fairfax, seeing much active service; and 
his skill as an engineer had attracted the notice of Frederick 
Henry, Prince of Orange, who made him Master of Works, 
and Fortifications at his camp in the Netherlands. Thus, it 
must have been a deserved honor, when an Englishman was 
placed at the helm of defence in Holland, by a great general, 
bred to the science of war, and commanding a contest like 
that against Philip of Spain. 

While stationed in the vicinity of the City of Worden, Gardi- 
ner made the acquaintance of Mary WilUamson Durcant, 
whom he married at Worden, July 10, 1635. They proceeded 
at once to London, whence they sailed for Boston, on the norsey 
bark, "Batchelor," Thomas Webb, Master, a vessel provided 
by the Company, of only twenty-five tons burden, in which 
they tossed on the rough waves, from August 1st, until the 
28th of November, three months and seventeen days. Mrs. 
Gardiner was attended bv a French maidservant, Elizabeth 



Colet, and there was one other passenger. The oflficers and 
crew numbered eight. These twelve souls were consigned to 
a miniature craft, much less in size than the ordinary yacht 
of the present day, and about as fit to cope with the perils of 
the sea as a Dutch cradle. No wonder Winthrop wrote in 
his journal "Her passengers and goods are here safe, through 
the Lord's great providence." He landed in Boston, one cold, 
bleak, blustery November morning in 1635; he was thirty- 
six years of age, of fine military presence, well proportioned, 
with quiet face, keen eyes, intelligent and deep set, and the 
manner and bearing of a gentleman. He was expected, and 
received a warm welcome from Governor Thomas Dudley, 
and from the ex-Governors, Deputy Governors, and future 
Governors of much-governed Boston, of whom were present, 
John Winthrop, John Endicott, Simon Bradstreet, Sir Henry 
Vane, John Haynes, Roger Ludlow, Richard Bellingham, and 
the younger John Winthrop, an exceptional group of lights 
for one small town just five years old. His presence in Boston 
aroused the people to secure his experienced services, against 
savage foes. Up to that hour, Boston was without any fort. 
It was agreed that all of Boston should donate their services; 
and Gardiner built a fort, on Fort Hill, which was used until 
after the Revolutionary War. Meanwhile, the younger Win- 
throp had sent a force of twenty men, under Lieutenant Gibbons, 
afterwards Major General of Massachusetts, to break ground 
at the mouth of the Connecticut River, and erect suitable 
buildings for the reception of Gardiner, who repaired there, 
accompanied by his wife. The Winter that followed was one 
of the coldest on record, and no work could be done. At last, 
Spring came, but no soldiers, or laborers, no imposing proces- 
sion of notables, or nobles. Gardiner said "Our great expec- 
tation came only two men. Colonel George Fenwick and a 
manservant." Four years at Saybrook Fort, named for Lord 
Say and Lord Brook, were years of hard work, anxiety, dan- 
ger and active warfare with the Indians; but he had the satis- 
faction of aiding in the plans which resulted in the defeat, 
and almost annihilation of the Pequots. When this engage- 
ment expired with the Lords and gentlemen, nothing daunted 
by his hard experiences, he betook himself to a still more se- 
cluded home, purchasing Monchonac from the Indians, or 
the Isle of Wight, as Gardiner called it. This island was six- 
teen miles from Saybrook, the nearest white settlement, and 
here his second child was born, the first English child in the 




FIREPLACE IN THE MANOR HOUSE WITH THE ESCUTCHEON, WORKED BY 
ELIZABETH, DAUGHTER OF JOHN, 3rD LORD OF THE MANOR 



State of New York. Lion Gardiner died at East Hampton, 
L. I., in 1663. His son, David, was sent to England to be 
educated and there married Mary Lerringham at St. Margaret's 
Church, Westminster Abbey. David was the first white child 
born in the State of Connecticut. After David, came John, and 
the island alternated, from David to John for eight generations. 
Lord John, 3rd, born April 1661 has on his tomb in New Lon- 
don, Conn., "His Excellency, John Gardiner, Lord of the Isle 
of Wight," surmounted by the arms of the family. It was 
during his life, 1699, that Captain Kidd landed upon the island, 
and buried a large chest of treasure. Fearing the act had 
been discovered, Kidd went to the proprietor, and told him 
what he had done; he knew his presence was a threat, in this 
isolated abode, and demanded refreshment for himself, and 
his vicious looking crew. Among the things provided was a 
roast pig. Kidd was so pleased with his repast that he took 
courteous leave of his host, and hostess, and upon so doing, 
presented Mrs. Gardiner with a cloth of gold of exquisite beauty, 
which has been carefully preserved, and handed along from 
generation to generation. Not quite satisfied with having 
placed himself in the position of a beggar before a gentleman 
and his family, Kidd is said to have left a costly diamond in 
the well bucket, where he pretended to drink, just before quit- 
ting the island. The diamond was found, whether in the well 
bucket, or elsewhere, and has ever since been treasured by 
the members of the Gardiner family. 

It is clear from Kidd's behavior, that he counted on absolute 
immunity under Bellomont's protection, but things had grown 
too hot for the Governor, and when the pirate chief got to 
Boston, he was arrested and imprisoned; whence, he was sent 
to London, tried in 1701 for piracy, and the murder of one of 
his crew, and executed. Bellomont secured his memoranda 
of deposits in various places, sent out a demand for their sur- 
render, among others to Gardiner, who made haste to dig up 
the chests and bales and carry them to Boston. The receipt 
given him by the Governor's Committee, dated July 7th, 1699, 
now in possession of the present proprietor, specifies bags of 
gold dust, gold and silver coin, precious stones, gold and silver 
bars, etc., their value set at 4500 pounds. 

During the early years of the century that followed, the 
manor was frequently visited by privateers, smugglers and 
freebooters, and suffered much loss from their depredations. 
In 1728, it was completely invested by a band of piratical 

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WAMPUM, PRESENTED TO LION GAEDINEE, IST LORD OF THE 
MANOR, B\ WYANDACH, SACHEM OF MONTAUK 




FRAGMENT OF A PIECE OF CLOTH-OF-GOLD PRESENTED BY 

CAPT. KIDD TO THE WIFE OF JOHN GARDINER, 3rD 

LORD OF THE MANOR, IN JUNE, 1699 



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desperadoes, eighty in number, including Spaniards, French- 
men andmulatoes; they assaulted the manor house in the night, 
destroyed the furniture, and beds, and plundered household 
articles, clothing and valuables of every description. They 
succeeded in carrying off all the family plate, except one silver 
tankard, which Mrs. Gardiner seized as she fled through the 
rear passage. Gardiner was severely wounded, and many of 
his laborers were cut with weapons of the assailants. The 
pirates escaped with every availalile article of value the island 
afforded. The tankard is cherished as a priceless relic of 
this event. Thus far, the old feudal estate had flourished in 
its independence of Colonial Government, in no way dis- 
turbed by the political agitation of the times, but with the dawn 
of the Revolution, it bowed to the divinity of a new liberty, 
and a fresh leaf was turned in history. There were no electric 
wires to flash impending disaster over land, and no railroads 
to bring succor from afar. A fleet of thirteen British ships 
anchored in Gardiner's Bay, a party of British officers landed 
on the island to secure supplies for the famished troops in Bos- 
ton. The British helped themselves to 1200 sheep, a cargo 
of hogs, fowls, cheese and hay worth several thousand dol- 
lars, without payment, and departed. Henceforth, Gardiner's 
Island was a foraging field for the British, and, in a certain 
sense, desolated. During a summer, and winter. Vice Admiral 
Arbuthnot, with eleven ships, remained in Gardiner's Bay. 
The draughts upon the resources of the island were constant. 
Horses were taken for the use of the officers on shore, and the 
timber greatly damaged. 

Some of the British officers were billoted upon Colonel 
Abraham Gardiner at East Hampton, much to his discomfort — 
Sir Wifliam Erskin, Lord Percy, afterward Duke of Northum- 
berland, Governor Tryon, Major Andre and Governor Clinton. 
They made frequent trips to Gardiner's Island, where they 
found a most enticing hunting ground, and in stormy weather, 
they took possession of the manor house, and diverted them- 
selves with playing quoits in the dining room ; the oaken floors 
still bear the marks of the game. 

While Major Andre was quartered with Colonel Gardiner, 
his son. Dr. Nathaniel Gardiner, a surgeon in the New Hamp- 
shire Continental Infantry, came home on leave of absence. 
The family carefuUy suppressed the fact, but after his depart- 
ture, Andre quietly informed them that he had been aware of 
his presence in the house, and would have been much pleased 

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MARY GARDINER JOHNSON, WIFE OF REV. STEPHEN JOHNSON OF LYNNE, 

CONNECTICUT, AND DAUGHTER OF JOHN GARDINER, 5tH 

LORD OF THE MANOR. BORN, JULY, 1740 



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to have made his acquaintance, only that his duty as a British 
officer would have compelled him to arrest the young surgeon 
as a spy. It was a curious coincidence that this same young 
Dr. Gardiner should have been ordered to attend Andre the 
last night of his life. When Andre left East Hampton, he 
exchanged wine glasses with Colonel Gardiner, leaving two 
from his camp chest, and these mementoes are now guarded 
with jealous care by his descendants. But with all the sun- 
shine and love-romance of the in- 
tervening years, the island was to 
taste still further fruits of war. 
In 1812, a formidable British fleet 
came to anchor in Gardiner's Bay. 
The fleet numbered seven battle- 
ships of the line, several frigates 
and other vessels, all obtaining 
supplies chiefly from Gardiner's 
Island. Oxen were taken from 
the plow and killed. Sir Thomas 
Harvey was in command, and en- 
deavored to restrain his men from 
showing disrespect to the pro- 
prietor, and his family; but the 
sailors were perpetually coming on 
shore, and the subordinate officers 
were not the best of teachers, by 
example. Some weeks later. Cap- 
tain Sir Hugh Pigott came on shore 
with a number of men, parading 
before the manor house, made un- 
reasonable demands, and threat- 
ened to fire the buildings. Gardi- 
ner sent his family, and servants 
to the cellar for safety, and in- 
tended to defend his property at 

all hazards. The British finally left, and some time later, a 
letter of apologv reached the island from the Commander-in- 
Chief. 

The early history of this island is rich in Indian legends 
and old time tales of love and sacrifice. No portion of our 
country was so persistently frequented by ocean rovers; no 
point so exposed to foreign enemies in times of war. The main 
house, now standing, was built by David Gardiner, 1774; 

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* 



i 



VASE GIVEN BY MAJOR ANDRE TO 

COLONEL ABRAHAM 

GARDINER 




SARAH (GRISVVOLD) GARDINER, WIFE OF THE 7tH LORD OF THE MANOR 
(The original is in the manor house, Gardiner's Island) 



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JOHN LION GARDINER, 7tH LORD OF THE MANOR 

(The original is in the manor house. Gardiner's Island) 



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VIEW OF THE POINT ON GARDINER'S ISLAND 



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SAMUEL BUELL GASDINER, lOlH LORD OF THE MANOR, SON OF THE 7tH 

AND BROTHER OF THE 9tH LORD OF THE MANOR 

{The original is in the manor house, Gardiner's Island) 



23 



the sixth proprietor, one hundred and thirty-five years after 
the original settlement. The estate had then become a garden 
of beauty, from eighty to one hundred attendants kept it 
trimmed, and blooming; great fields of oats and wheat, and 
other grains made graceful obeisance to the scythe; some two 
thousand loads of hay were stored in barns every Autumn; 
three hundred or more cattle grazed in its sunny pastures, 
and ten times as many sheep, with an annual yield of thousands 
of pounds of wool. The dairy produced butter in large quan- 
tities, and cheese averaged as many as a hundred and twenty 
pounds per day, for the season. The Lord of the Island rarely 
stabled less than sixty horses, the finest in the country. He 
raised annually a hundred hogs, wild turkeys hovered about 
in great numbers, coming to yards daily, to be fed with the 
tame fowls. A large herd of deer roamed at will among the 
fine old trees, which would have done credit to any English 
park; and thus, the island was kept during my father's time, 
but after his death, the farm life was given up and my nephew, 
Lion Gardiner, now uses the island as a game preserve, it 
being stocked with English pheasants, deer and wild birds of 
every variety. 

Thus, Lion Gardiner's legacy has descended, an island quite 
unspoiled by time, a lovely soUtude, which no Caucasian ever 
called his own unless he was called by the name of Gardiner. 



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. TRPORV OF CONGRESS 

iiiii 

014 220 939V* 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




